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LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE 



W. M. L. JAY 



^ \-, 



DOST THOU 

IN SHADOW BinR ? 

choose now 
life's sunny side." 





NEW YORK 

E. P. BUTTON & COMPANY 

31 West Twentv-thikd Street 
1886 






Copyright, i836, 
By E. p. DUTION & CO. 



Pressor J. J. Little & Co.. 
Astor Place, New York. 



i^" . . . ^^ 

£ God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. — i 
^ John, i. 5. 

^ — : 

The earth goes wheeling on her way, 
One half in night, and one in day. 

^ The side that sunward turns is bright ; 

It's shade doth make the other's night. 

So would I turn to Thee to bless 
My life. Thou Sun of Righteousness ! 

Yet be my heart from self so free, 
So crystal clear to light from Thee, 

• The rays shall pierce me through and through. 

And night shall nowhere meet Thy view ! 



The path of the just . . . shineth more and more 
unto the perfect day. — Prov., iv. 18. 



4 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

We know that all things work together for good to 
them that love God. — Rom., viii. 28. 



And so shall sweet patience 

and trustfulness teach 
Some wonderful alchemy, 

turning to gold 
All things whatsoever 

that come in its reach — 
The dull and the narrow, 

the new and the old, — 
Till each shall be bright 

v/ith the grace and the glow 
Of the goodness of God 

Who loveth us so ! 



Now are ye Hght in the Lord : walk as children 
of light.— Ephes., \. 8. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 



5 



The Day spring from on high hath visited us . . . 
to guide our feet into the way of peace.— St. Luke, 
i. 78, 79. 



Is the way long ? Meseems not so. 
No way is long where friends do go 

In converse low, and sweet, and deep, — 
And all the way I have with me 
My Lord's dear companie. 

Is the way hard ? But, surely, nay ! 
For " Lean on Me," His voice doth say ; 

And scarce I know the path grows steep. 
So wondrously ii heartens me, 
My Lord's dear companie. 



Is not the Lord your God with you ? and hath He 
not given you rest on every side ? — i Chron., xxii. 



6 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

Make me to hear joy and gladness. — Ps., li. 8. 



Our griefs have such insistent moans, 

Our cares such strident voices, 
We often miss the softer tones, 

Whose burden sweet " Rejoice ! " is ; 
As if " a time for everything " 

Meant chiefly time for sorrow, 
And not that hearts some upward spring 

From coming joy should borrow, — 
Some seeds of joy, in time of snow. 

Deep-sown in faith's warm bosom, 
Should be alive with future glow, 

And quick with leaf and blossom. 



Hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the 
hope. — Heb., iii., 6. 



i 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. y 

In the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice. — Ps., 
Ixiii. 7. 



Happy they who learn from crosses, 
Changing clouds and fears, 

Life may richer be for losses, 
Joyfuller for tears. 

Happy they who in the the sunlight 
See a type of heavenly grace — 

Bright reflection of the One Light 
Shining in a shady place. 

Happiest they whose eyes, uplifted 
To the mighty central Sun, 

With prophetic insight gifted. 

See earth's cloud and shine as one ! 



For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Al- 
mighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.— 
Job., xxii. 26. 



8 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

To be spiritually minded is life and peace. — Rom., 
viii. 6. 



No clouds of care that gather, 

No waves of sin that toss, 
No blasts of desolation, 

No blight, no strife, no loss, 
Can break the mystic circle 

Of that enshrining peace. 
Which round the steadfast spirit 

Groweth, and doth not cease. 



1 



For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be 
removed ; but My kindness shall not depart from 
thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be re- 
moved, saith the Lord. — Is., liv. lo. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

Serve the Lord with gladness, — Ps., c. 2. 
Do you think that our Lord 

taketh never dehght 
In hearts that are happy 

and eyes that are bright ? 
That the soul at the foot 

of the cross kneeling low, 
To its burden should cling, 

and should never let go ? 
Ah, no, let it rise, 

after penitence due, 
To the full-statured joy 

of its liberty new ! 
It is fit that the slave 

in his slaving be sad, 
But who loveth the service, 

in serving is glad. 

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature,- 
2 Cor., v. 17. 



lO LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

The Lord . . . will send his angel with thee, and 
prosper thy way. — Gen., xxiv. 40. 



Eyes that look well on the commonest things 

Into the barrenest places, 
Soon will catch gleamings of angel wings, 

Glimpses of angel faces. 

Not on our way unattended we go, 
But wondrously guarded and guided. 

And blow the wind high or blow the wind low. 
Just what we need is provided. 



And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which 
the Lord thy God hath given unto thee. — Deut., 
xxvi. II. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. II 

Be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I 
create. — Is., Ixv. i8. 

And God saw that it was good. — Gen., i. lo. 



And still, as o'er the breezy hills, 

And through the woods we go, 
Or follow where the leaping rills 

And sounding rivers flow, 
To feast our eyes on color-chords, 

On harmonies of line, 
And dancing sunbeams — still those words 

Are heard by senses fine. 
The Master's touch is plain to sight 

On mountain, stream, and wood ; — 
Their beauty doth our eyes delight — 

He sees that thev are "good ! " 



Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look 
for new heavens and a new earth. — 2 Pet., iii. 13. 



12 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

Rejoice in hope of the glory of God. — Rom., v. 2. 



We ask the watchmen on the hills, 

'^ What cheer ? What sign of dawning ? " 

Like music sweet the answer thrills, — 
" 'Tis night, but comes the morning." 

Be that the word we pass along, — 
" Night broods (for rest, not sadness) ; 

But morning comes ! Leap, heart ! wake, song ! 
We scarce can rest for gladness ! " 



For God who commanded the light to shine out 
of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the 
light of the knowledge of the glory of God. — 2 Cor., 
iv. 6. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 13 

The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof 
we are glad. — Ps., cxxvi. 3. 



For darkness He gave us His marvelous light, 
For garments of mourning pure garments of white, 

And our souls newly born 

In the dew of His morn, 
Unspotted presents to the Father's pure sight. 

How, then, can we dare His sweet service disgrace 
With bodings of spirit and sadness of face ? 
Who most with love burn, 
And for heaven most yearn, 
Find heaven and love in the loneHest place. 



Because God answereth him in the joy of his 
heart. — Eccl., v. 20. 



14 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 



They that wait upon the Lord . . . shall run, 
and not be weary ; and they shall walk, and not 
faint, — Is., xl. 31. 



For whether the path be narrow or wide. 
To faith there is always a sunny side. 

And whether the day be dark or bright. 
It is better to walk by faith than sight. 

And march we swiftly or march we slow, 
His banner is love o'er the vray we go. 

And be the night starry or be it dim, 
Sweet is the rest that we take in Him. 

And whether the night be short or long, 
Who would not sing if He giveth song ? 



The Lord will command His loving-kindness in 
the day-time ; and in the night His song shall be 
with me. — Ps. , xlii. 8. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE, 1 5 

Be ye . . . followers of God as dear children, 
and walk in love. — Ephes., v. 1-2. 



Like to the little children ! " 

Did ever any who heard 
Fathom the depth of meaning 

Under that wonderful word ? — 
The children who trust so brightly 

To a father's love by light ! 
The children who cling so tightly 

To a father's hand by night ! 
The children who dry so quickly 

Their tears for losses and pain, 
And into the face of their father 

Lovingly smile again ! 



I will ... be a Father unto you, and ye shall 
be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Al- 
mighty. — 2 Cor., vi. 17-18. 



1 6 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE, 

Rejoice evermore. — Thess., v. i6. 



" Rejoice ! " a quiet voice saitb, — 
" Yea, surely : What hindereth ? 
However the world may spin, 
My heart makes music within : — 
Hope hath a joyous trill, 
Clear as a summer rill, 
Patience an undersong, 
Faith setteth the key aright. 
Love is the dominant sweet and strong, — • 
Some note I can touch with delight, — 
And, to fill up the chord, 
I rejoice in the Lord ! " 



Rejoice in the Lord alway ; and again I say, Re- 
joice. — Phil., iv. 4. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 



17 



Unto the upright there ariseth Ught in the dark- 
ness. — Ps. cxii., 4. 



So let us trust our darkest day 

May know some gleam of heavenly Hght, 
That every cloud's o'erbanging grey 

May part to show some lining bright ; 
That hope may lead us bravely on, 

And love keep watch, and faith sustain, 
Till in the Father's house is won 

The endless shining after rain. 



Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, 
. . . the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. — 
Is., Iviii. 8. 



1 8 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE, 

I will be as the dew unto Israel : he shall grow as 
the hly. — Hos., xiv. 5. 



We can but give Thee of Thine own ; 

The lilies bloom by grace of gift ; 
Except Thou draw us from Thy throne, 

Our hearts can feel no upward lift. 



So when our souls with joy are filled, 
And love and praise flow full and free, 

We know 'tis dew by Thee distilled ;— 
Give more, that we may give to Thee ! 



Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be 
full. — St. John, xvi. 24. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 



19 



The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich, and He 
addeth no sorrow with it. — Pro v., x. 22. 



Our portion may be more or less 
Of earthly good ; but happiness 
We nowhere find within it stored, 
Without the blessing of the Lord. 



'to 



It matters not whereof the cup 
Is made, if He with us doth sup ; 
His touch refines the common mold 
His blessing turns the base to gold. 

Lit by His smile of love benign. 
The water sparkles into wine ; 
And deeply as we drink, we find 
Nor dregs, nor sorrows, stay behind. 



Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the 
wells of salvation. — Is., xii. 3. 



20 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

Be filled with the Spirit, . . . singing and 
making melody in your heart to the Lord.— Ephes., 
V. i8, lo. 



By meadow bank, through woodland glade, 

A brooklet ghdes along ; 
And in the sun, and in the shade, 

It sings the same sweet song. 

A shallow here, a sharp rock there, 

A thicket farther on, — 
It sings and sparkles everywhere, 

As life and song were one. 

It quencheth thirst, it healeth blight ; 

It sings and seeks the sea. 
Reflecting every gleam of light : — 

Lord, give such grace to me ! 



To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, 
and not be silent. — Ps., xxx. 12. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 21 

Ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with 
peace : the mountains and the hills shall break forth 
before you into singing. — Is., Iv. 12. 



Such be my goings out, O Lord I 
With senses quickened by Thy word 
To catch the mighty hymn of praise 
Creation to her Lord doth raise ; — 
The hymn of which the opening bars 
Were sung by earliest morning stars, 
Then, taken up by happy hills. 
By mountain steeps, by laughing rills. 
By waving boughs, by heaving seas, 
By morning and by evening breeze, 
Is echoed on from year to year, 
For hearts that feel and ears that hear. 



Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound : 
they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy counte- 
nance. — Ps., Ixxxix. 15. 



22 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

Their soul shall be as a watered garden. — Jer., 

XXxi. 12. 



" Is any sorrow like to ours ? " 

Too oft we, grieving, say, 
When storms have beaten down the flowers, 

And washed the beds : — but, stay ! 

Is any gladness like to ours, 

Whose Father's hand doth so 
Provide us needful rain and showers 

Ere yet the need we know, — 
The seasons of the soul, to bring 

Seed-time and bloom and harvesting ? 



In due season we shall reap, if we faint not. — 
Gal., vi. 9. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 23 

Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. — Prov., 



Happy ! Yes ; and wherefore 

Should I not be so ? 
Love Divine o'erhangeth 

All the way I go. 

Darkest shadow showeth 

Smiling sun behind ; 
Where the sickle goeth, 

There the reapers bind. 

Happy ? Yes ; and wherefore 

Should I not be so. 
Since by ways appointed 

Unto heaven I go ? 



Your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man 
taketh from you. — St. John, xvi. 22. 



24 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 



Every creature of God is good, . . . if it be 
received with thanksgiving. — i Tim., iv. 4. 



Since Thy hand presents this cup, 
Can I fail to drink it up ? 

No, though bitter be the taste. 
Not a drop I dare to waste. 

Lifting heart and bending knee, 
Lo, in faith I drink to Thee. 

Bitter, is it ? Yea and No. 
Just at first it seemeth so. 

But the bitter is so fleet, 
And the after taste so sweet, 

And the strength it gives so rare. 
Sweeter cup I well can spare. 



For with Thee is the fountain of life. — Ps., 
xxxvi. 9. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 



25 



He that will love life, and see good days, let him 
refrain his tongue from evil ... let him seek 
peace, and ensue it. — i Pet., iii. 10, 11. 



" Will you give me, " said sighing May, 
A receipt for a happy day ? " 

"And why should I not, forsooth ?" 
Said cheerful and busy Ruth : 

"Take of heavenly faith and trust, 
Of patience with fellow dust. 
Of gentle manners and speech, 
A liberal handful each ; 
Flavor with quick, keen sight 
For all that is lovely and bright 
Around, below, or above ; 
And mix them together with love." 



And as many as walk according to this rule, peace 
be on them. — Gal., vi. 16. 



26 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy 
work : I will triumph in the works of Thy hands. 
— Ps., xcii. 4. 



I am only a bird on a bough, 

But the landscape is all for me, — 
The furrows that follow the plough, 

The shimmer and foam of the sea, — 
The music of leaflets above, 

The waters that laugh as they fall, — 
And somewhere a wonderful love, 

That watcheth and broodeth us all !- 
A love like the sun in its glow, 

And vast as the far-shining sea, — 
I am only a bird on a bough, 

Yet the whole wide world is for me ! 



Behold the fov/ls of the air . . . Are ye not 
much better than they ? — Mat., vi. 26. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 2/ 

Trust in the Lord, . . . and verily, thou 
shalt be fed. — Ps., xxxvii. 3. 



By eyes that are pure 

and hearts that are clean, 
At morn and at eve 

is a Ladder still seen ; 
And the angels still come, 

and the angels still go, 
To the hands lifted up, 

from the heads bended low, 
With the blessings He gives, 

and the thanks that we say, 
With the grace that we need, 

and the worship we pay. 



Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to 
minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation ?— 
Heb., i. 14. 



28 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

In quietness and in confidence shall be your 
strength. — Is., xxx. 15. 

I do not pray that all my life 

May run its course in careless ease 

Unvexed by tempest, care, or strife, 
A boat adrift on sunny seas, — 

The very smoothness ^oon would pall, 

The brightness seem not bright at all. 

But grant me, Lord, a steadfast soul, 
That rides the storm without dismay, 

Keeps helm and sail in wise control. 
And speeds the faster on its way, — 

Determined if by storms 'tis driven, 

It shall be to and not fro7n heaven. 



For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but 
of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. — 2 
Tim., i. 7. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 



29 



In the wilderness shall waters break out, and 
streams in the desert. — Is., xxxv. 6. 



I said : Tlie desert is so wide ! 

I said : The desert is so bare ! 

What springs to quench my thirst are there ? 
Where shall I from the tempest hide ? 

I said : The desert is so lone ! 
Nor gentle v^oice, nor tender face, 
Will brighten any smallest space . . . 

I paused, or ere my moan was done. 

I heard the flow of hidden springs ; 

Before me palms rose green and fair ; 

The birds were singing ; all the air 
Did stir and shine with angel wings ! 



Take, therefore, no thought for the morrow. 
Mat. vi., 34. 



30 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

Neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord is 
your strength. — Neh., viii. lo. 



Is any sorry ? let him sing, 
And sorrow will not stay ; 

For low, sweet hymns on downy wing 
Will waft his woe away : 

And singing, he will learn at length 

That woe is weakness, joy is strength. 

" Is any merry ? let him sing" 

Brave psalms of trust and cheer, — 
Some hope or comfort so to bring 

To sighing souls that hear : 
For be his voice or weak or strong, 
'Tis sweet, if God be in the song. 



A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. — 



Prov. 



LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 



3^ 



Concerning them which are asleep . . . sorrow 
not ... as others which have nQ hope. — i Thess., 



Death is but a darkened chamber, 

Where our loved in peace we lay, 
Till the fleeing of the shadows, 

Till the breaking of the day. 
Death is but a door that shutteth 

Earthly woe and care away, 
Till the fleeing of the shadows, 

Till the breaking of the day. 
Death is but the kiss God giveth. 

Life to wake in sleeping clay, — 
Lo ! the fleeing; of the shadows ! 

Lo ! the breaking of the day ! 



Seek Him that . . . turneth the shadow of death 
into the morning . . the Lord is His name. — 
Amos, v. 8. 



32 LIFE'S SUNNY SIDE. 

Now, the God of hope fill you with all joy and 
peace in believing. — Rom., xv. 13. 



I nothing have save what I first receive ; 

My cup is empty till Thy hand hath filled ; 

My very will must needs by Thee be willed ; 
Only by Thee can I on Thee believe : 
No peace abides until Thou speakest peace, — 

No other voice doth bid life's cares "Be still !" 

Thy love alone can in my soul distill 
The sweet, new wine of joy that shall not cease ; 
No hope is born save by Thy blessed Word — 
Speak Thou, and it is done, O God, the Lord ! 



To Whom be glory for ever and ever : " Amen. 
Gal., i. 5. 



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